Fodor's Expert Review Paradise Bay Island Resort

Editor's Note: This location is no longer in operation.

Talk about secluded—this exclusive, eco-friendly lodge on South Long Island's isolated southern tip consists of only 10 luxurious bungalows strung along a white-sand beach, accessible only by helicopter. Each cathedral-ceilinged bungalow is individually appointed, with custom furnishings crafted from Australian hardwood, polished wood floors, ceiling fans, a king-size bed, and a hammock-slung veranda. With a maximum 20 guests, a two-night minimum stay, no kids under 16, no TVs, and no cell-phone reception, it's easy to de-stress here. The tariff covers all meals, including three-course gourmet dinners with boutique Australian wines, picnic lunches, Continental buffet breakfasts, and house drinks after 6 pm. Guests are also free to use the resort's snorkeling gear, wet suits, Hobie Cats, paddleboards, and kayaks, and to join skippered sailing excursions to nearby beaches, islands, and coral gardens, weather permitting. Your hosts can also arrange helicopter transfers (A$1,000 per couple from Whitsundays Coast Airport, A$760 from Hamilton Island), half-day heli-tours (minimum 2 people), and Great Barrier Reef trips. The lodge is impressively "green"—advanced solar panels, eco-friendly waste management, rainwater tanks, low-flow rainwater showerheads, and carbon offset programs—without compromising on luxury or comfort. Bring essentials, medicines, and a camera; leave power-guzzling appliances behind.